Closest to the people it may be, but local government is unlikely to make it into the constitution any time soon, writes Andrew Lynch, director of the Gilbert+Tobin Centre of Public Law.
Local government
Council rates surging to pay for new residents
Australian councils, possibly half, are jacking up their rates on existing residents to pay for the cost of new residents, writes Adam Creighton, research fellow (Economics Program) at the Centre for Independent Studies.
Roads, rates, rubbish … foreign policy? Recreating local government
Local government is about more than roads, rates and rubbish. But it’s not about international diplomacy, one Sydney mayor and president of the local government alliance insists. So what good is a new-age council?
How NOT to do local gov reform
Bob Gosford investigates the local government reforms recently undertaken in the Northern Territory, finding incompetence and confusion clouding the implementation of a new IT system.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Public servants get chakras aligned at taxpayer expense!
According to one tip-off today, a federal agency is the talk of the town after forking out $50,000 for a recent two night/three day sojourn at a luxury Southern Highlands resort for the entire staff.
Local concerns swept aside by Gillard’s Education Revolution
Planning no longer operates under this system of fairness — not when the Education Revolution is on the agenda, writes Cr Claude Ullin, mayor of the City of Stonnington.
Local politicians: gagged by their own councils
In parts of Australia, local government politicians are being prevented, under threat of legal action, from talking to the media. It’s ridiculous, undemocratic and probably illegal, says Margaret Simons.
Ferguson urges “science, not green faith” in letter to Batman residents
Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson has taken a blowtorch to loyal ALP supporters in his own electorate, using a taxpayer-funded letter to slam a push for zero emissions as “faith based”.
Brumby’s staffer code jumps ahead of the law
The Brumby Government is introducing a staffers’ code to insulate itself from controversy. Ministerial staff will be banned from holding office as a local Government Councillor.
Byron Bay to be abandoned to the waves
We should all be thankful that the Greens council which makes the decisions at Byron Shire isn’t in charge of Venice, writes Ian Evans.
Hakki Suleyman snuggles up at ALP Head Office
Yesterday’s damning eyewitness account of in-the-flesh flouting of Victorian ALP party rules was overseen by sacked Justin Madden staffer Hakki Suleyman, writes Andrew Crook.
Watching the ALP stacks come in: the membership rorts go on
Extensive and apparently systemic rorting of ALP membership rules in Victoria has continued despite the Brimbank scandal.
The Brimbank scourge that spans Victoria
John Brumby’s decision to sideline notorious numbers man George Seitz will have little impact in faction-ridden Victoria.
Politics in Sydney’s barmiest borough: Rockdale
While Liberal and Labor councillors are at each other’s throats all over NSW, not so in Rockdale, where they work hand-in-glove.
Local democracy on trial in Sydney’s boroughs
Two Sydney communities with vastly different demographics were the scene of anger meltdowns this week over the common issue of local democracy.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Pokies, clubs and local government
Readers weigh in on pokies, local government, Bob Ellis and more.
ALP councillors who are MP staffers: a Crikey list
The parlous state of Labor-controlled councils in Victoria suggests John Brumby’s mob is more than capable of imploding on its own.
Brimbank Council’s rats in the ranks saga
The story, dubbed “the tale of two warlords” by ALP insiders, is likely to have far-reaching repercussions.
How the Victorian budget affects you
The Leader looks at how each local community will fare from the Victorian budget.
Nillumbik Council grapples with the afternath of fire
At a council meeting in semi-rural Victoria last week, the clearing of native vegetation struggled to make the agenda.
Botany Bay’s car park protesters gagged
Sydney’s Rockdale Council will stop at nothing to build a 100-vehicle car park on the foreshores of Botany Bay, writes Alex Mitchell.
Victorians go to the polls. Not.
Victoria’s 79 municipalities, with about 3.5 million voters, will all hold elections tomorrow, in an unprecedented state-wide operation, but will ballots be fair and secret? asks Charles Richardson.
Paving paradise in Botany Bay
The ultimate defacement of Botany Bay is being proposed on Crown land by Rockdale Council, writes Alex Mitchell.
Territory Labor is a safe bet
Why is Labor such a certainty according to betting agencies for tomorrow’s NT election? Charles Richardson breaks down the numbers.
